Object Details
Description (Brief)
The Hughes Brothers of Scranton, Pennsylvania manufactured this Davy style safety lamp in the latter half of the 19th century. Encasing the flame in metal gauze prevented the flame from escaping the lamp and igniting the combustible gases (called firedamp), as would happen with the open flames of carbide or oil-wick lamps. Safety lamps were invented in the early 19th century, and are used to this day for gas detection, even as mine lighting has been replaced by electric lights.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
Ralph Ditzler
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9548E
accession number
280476
catalog number
MHI-MN-9548E
Object Name
lamp, safety, mining
mining lamp
Measurements
overall: 11 1/2 in x 3 in x 3 in; 29.21 cm x 7.62 cm x 7.62 cm
See more items in
Work and Industry: Mining
Mining Lamps
Work
Industry & Manufacturing
Natural Resources
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_872292